Eye doctors say that by looking in someone’s eyes, they can see things like arteries, veins, and nerves, which are a reflection of what’s going on in the rest of the body. The benefit, of course, is easily catching potential problems early on. Here are 10 important health conditions your eyes can signal

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends everyone get a baseline eye exam by age 40, if not before (if everything looks good, your doctor can decide how often you should follow-up) High blood pressure Early signs of damage from high blood pressure can be detected in routine eye exam so potentially life-saving treatment can be […]

Indian patients are at inherently greater risk of diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease; these chronic diseases occur a decade earlier in Indian population

Diabetes is a major risk-factor for cardiovascular disease; both these diseases have assumed epidemic proportions in India. Diabetes is the second commonest comorbidity in cardiology OPDs in India. Maharashtra, cardiovascular disease is leading cause of death in adults over 40 years of age, accounting for almost 2 out of every 5 deaths. In Maharashtra, ischemic […]

About one in 10 people have eczema, a chronic inflammatory condition that leaves skin dry and itchy. People with more severe forms may experience a scaly rash or skin that cracks and oozes

These people may also be at greater risk for heart attack and stroke, according to a study published inThe BMJ. For the study, researchers analysed data from more than 385,000 adults with eczema, which was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Each was matched with up to five people of similar age and sex who […]

The study was done at the University of Virginia (UVA) at Charlottesville and now features in the journal Nature Medicine.These findings have important implications for drugs that treat advanced atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation

Scientists have discovered that, as far as arteries are concerned, inflammation can be both good and bad. In its well-known bad role, it can aid atherosclerosis, the plaque-forming process that clogs up arteries and raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. New research, however, has also revealed that during the advanced stages of atherosclerosis, […]

Raised total cholesterol is a major cause of disease burden in both the developed and developing countries as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and stroke

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all cells of the body, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. It comes from the food you eat, but what happens if you consume too much? Well, it will build up in the bloodstream, which results in clogged arteries. High cholesterol is a […]

No detectable benefit was seen from regular use of low-dose aspirin for people 70 and older who don’t have heart disease, researchers say

Taking aspirin can help protect older adults who have suffered heart attacks, strokes and related complications in the past. But a large, international study has found the drug was unlikely to extend the lives of healthy people over the age of 70. The findings of the research were published in three papers in the New […]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse affects nearly 20 per cent of men over age 20, according to research

Erectile dysfunction (ED) indicates greater cardiovascular risk, regardless of other risk factors, such as cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure, according new research published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation. In the study, which followed more than 1,900 men, ages 60 to 78, over 4 years, those who reported ED were twice as likely […]

After accounting for potentially confounding factors, the researchers found that within 30 days of taking up diclofenac, the rate of major cardiovascular problems - such as arrhythmia, ischemic stroke, heart failure, and heart attack -was much higher compared with other NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to alleviate pain. While NSAIDs are commonly recommended to treat inflammatory conditions, headaches, and fever, the drugs are thought to have some cardiovascular risks. However, due to ethical concerns, these risks cannot be evaluated in clinical trials. The European Society of Cardiology therefore carried out an extensive review […]

According to new results from a trial with diabetes patients, neither aspirin nor fish oils can help those who seek to prevent their first heart attack or stroke. The findings of the research were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Munich on August 26

It is the recommended medication for survivors of heart attack and stroke as it can help in reducing the risk of a second cardiovascular event. The medication works by thinning the blood which, in turn, can prevent the formation of blood clots. But what about people who do not have a history of cardiovascular events? […]

The arteries of teenagers who drink alcohol and smoke, even very occasionally, are already beginning to stiffen by age 17, according to researchers at the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London

Arterial stiffness indicates damage to the blood vessels, which predicts heart and blood vessel problems in later life, such as heart attacks and stroke. The findings, published in the European Heart Journal today, also showed that a combination of high alcohol intake and smoking was linked to even greater arterial damage compared to drinking and […]